Digimon ND, Book 3; ShadowEmpressmon's Evil Game. Chapters Ten and Eleven are Up!!

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

BUMP

[legendhiro]

here it is. its a little late, but you guys should be expecting that by now...

 

 

[spoiler=Chapter Four]

 

Reunited with Old Friends

 

 

We continued our journey to the desert region. We soon came to Digital Bridge, leading off into the Oasis Demi-Region. We crossed the bridge, into the lush trees, and followed the river upstream.

 

After walking for awhile Sarah, now out of breath, said, “Wow, this Demi-Region seems a lot less ‘demi’ when you don’t have a raft to ride on.”

 

“It’s really hot in this area too,” said Jen, “and we have a ways to go.”

 

I was feeling pretty tired myself, so I decided that it was time to stop for a rest. We quickly finished off the water, so I walked to the river to refill the water bottles. I filled two of the three bottles, turned around to pick up the third, and found myself face to face with a massive green beast with huge curved horns. I recognized him at once, “Hey, Tuskmon! Buddy!”

 

Tuskmon blinked, looking surprised, “Hey, John the Human. I didn’t expect to see you here. What ya been up to?”

 

“Not much,” I replied. “Just more of the usual. How about you?”

 

“Same here.”

 

Tuskmon stepped up beside me and drank from the river. As he did, I took the chance to fill the last of the water bottles. When the two of us were finished we walked together back into the thick of the forest.

 

“Your friends are up ahead?” Tuskmon asked.

 

“Yeah,” I replied.

 

“That’s pretty close to where Dokugamon and Birdramon were waiting. Maybe they met up with each other.”

 

“Yeah, maybe.”

 

We stepped through the trees, and sure enough my friends were waiting for me along with the giant fire bird Digimon, Birdramon, and the giant poison spider Dokugamon. They were busy telling my friends a story.

 

“And now, with Manipulamon gone, this world’s Digimon are beginning to come out of hiding and return to their natural habitats,” said Birdramon. “And it’s all thanks to you humans.”

 

“Hey John!” said Jen as she saw me step out of the trees and into the clearing where they were waiting. “Look what we found!”

 

“Yeah,” I said, as Tuskmon emerged from the trees behind me, “I found one too.”

 

“So what’s going on?” Dokugamon asked. “I expected you to have returned home to your world by now, but here you are, and with another human as well.”

 

The smile that I’d been wearing disappeared. I took a deep breath, “Sorry guys, but we have bad news.”

 

We circled up and sat down, and I told Dokugamon, Birdramon, and Tuskmon all about Tyranterramon and what we suspected was his plan.

 

 

After hearing the story that my team and I had to tell Dokugamon looked up at the sky, as if collecting her thoughts. We gave her our full attention. She looked at us and said, “There’s a story of a Digimon from ancient times who behaved in a similar fashion to Tyranterramon, even though I’m not really sure where I heard it, but I remember it.”

 

“I know this story,” said Mechmon. “The story of a Digimon who was able to use the cores and even sought them out.”

 

“That’s not what I mean,” said Dokugamon. “That story is a fairy tail. It’s similar to the story I have to tell, but not the same. The story I’m talking about is the story of the Tyrant and the Five Regions’ Guardians.”

 

“The Five Regions’ Guardians,” said Mechmon. “You mean the Digimon that the ancient Sovereign assigned to guard the cores?”

 

Dokugamon nodded.

 

“Okay,” I said, “you two have lost me now.”

 

“The Guardians,” Dokugamon explained, “were a group of Child Digimon of great integrity, one or two per region, who were chosen by this world’s Sovereign centuries ago in old time, long before the time in this world slowed to match time in your world. These Digimon were given portions of the Sovereign's data, helping them to develop almost instantly. Some of them DNA Digivolved together and others Digivolved naturally until they were six Ultimate Level Digimon; one for the Desert, one for the mountains and the volcano, two for the forest, one for the ocean, and one for the final core, said to be the most important and well hidden of all. The Sovereign chose them because he was incapable of protecting every core at once, but in Digivolving these Digimon the Sovereign weakened himself so that he only had power when the Guardians came together.

 

“Then came the Tyrant. He first attempted to seize the power of the cores when he was freshly Digivolved and still weak in his form. He attacked the Volcano Guardian Phoenixmon, the only Guardian whose name is still widely known today. He was defeated. Afterward he disappeared, training to become more powerful. He challenged the Guardians years later, but they summoned the Sovereign, known as the Great Protector. The Protector supposedly sealed the Tyrant away beneath the fabric of another world. He was hoping that the Tyrant could be rehabilitated. But what the Protector didn’t know was that he would be long dead by the time the Tyrant re-emerged.”

 

“You said that this Protector sealed the Tyrant away in another world?” Jeremy asked.

 

“Yes,” said Dokugamon, “why?”

 

“Because,” I said, “Tyranterramon didn’t emerge here in the Digital World. He emerged in the real world.”

 

“So the Tyrant is Tyranterramon?” Kristin asked.

 

“It would seem so,” said Dokugamon. “If he is then we could be in trouble. The Protector’s matrix degraded over a century ago, and most if not all of the Guardians are long gone as well. If this Tyranterramon really is the Digimon Tyrant from the story, then there isn’t a single Digimon alive who can match his power.”

 

“Even so,” I said, “I don’t think anyone here would disagree that we have to try.”

 

 

We began our journey again soon after, now with three more in tow. Dokugamon, Tuskmon and Birdramon agreed to carry us, so we were through the Oasis Demi-Region and into the Desert Region in under half an hour. But as we entered the Desert we immediately realized that we didn’t have any idea where to go from there.

 

“So we’re here,” said Sarah. “Now what?”

 

“My calculator indicates that we’ll be able to detect the core with our Digivices,” said Jeremy, “but only at extremely close range. We’ll have to scan the entire desert yard by yard.”

 

“Wow,” said Sarah sarcastically, “that sure sounds like fun.”

 

“Don’t worry,” said Tuskmon, “we’ll carry you. It should take no time it all if we break into teams. Compared to the other regions, the Desert Region is pretty small.”

 

“That works for me,” I said, “but where do we start?”

 

“Well,” said Mechmon, “it never hurts to start a search from a fixed point.”

 

I smiled, “I’ve got just the one.” I started walking, “Here we go, to Desert Tower!”

 

 

As we made our way to the tower I looked at the Digicomp’s map of the Desert Region. The Desert Region was long and thin, with the Desert Tower near one end. If we were to split the region into three sections we could cover the entire area in less than an hour.

 

I split our group into three teams; me, Sarah, our Digimon, and Tuskmon, Jen, Kris, their Digimon, and Dokugamon, and Jeremy, Amanda, their Digimon, and Birdramon.

 

I turned to my team. “Now let’s get going,” I said. I assigned each team a section on the map, and we were on our way.

 

 

Each team scoured their areas, keeping tabs over the Digivice communicators, until we were all nearly done. There was just one problem. Sarah and I weren’t able to finish our area. We’d left our water back at the Tower with our packs, and we’d had to turn back about half way through.

 

“I can’t believe we forgot our water,” said Sarah. “We’re holding up the entire team.”

 

I was about to reply when my Digivice beeped. Jeremy was trying to get in touch with us. “We’re finished with our section,” he said. “Even having to skim the ground, a flying Digimon like Birdramon is faster than a land Digimon. No sign of the core in this section”

 

“Okay,” I said. “On your way back can you check the last half of mine and Sarah’s area?”

 

“Already on it,” he said. “I’d already planned to after you said that you had to turn back.”

 

“Thanks,” I said.

 

“No problem.”

 

It was about fifteen minutes later when we received a message from Jen. “We’re on our way back,” she said. “No sign of the core.”

 

“That’s weird,” said Sarah, taking a swig from the water bottle and leaning back against the cold stone of the shady side of the Desert Tower. “The core must be in the last stretch of our section then.”

 

“I guess so,” I replied, though I wasn’t sure. Call me a pessimist.

 

Another ten minutes later Jeremy called again. “We’re well past half way,” he said. “Nothing.”

 

I only nodded as Jeremy continued, “We can get some altitude now, so we should be there any minute. Any word from Jen?”

 

“Yeah,” I said. “You need to get back here.”

 

Jeremy’s team landed about three minutes later. “What’s up?” he asked.

 

“No one found any sign of the core,” I replied.

 

“But that’s not possible,” said Tuskmon. “Even centuries after the deaths of the Guardians the Digimon of this world know at least the general locations of the cores. The Desert Core is here, in the Desert Region.”

 

“There has to be somewhere that we haven’t looked,” said BlackColtmon.

 

And that’s when it hit me.

 

“Did anyone bother to scan the Tower?” I asked.

 

“I don’t think so,” Jeremy answered.

 

I aimed my Digivice at the Desert Tower, “What if all this time the core’s been right here under our noses, but we never thought to look.” As I spoke the Digivice chimed brightly. “Bingo! I’m reading a core signature beneath the tower!”

 

“We found it,” said Serpentmon, “and just in time, because we have company.”

 

I followed my Digimon’s gaze to the horizon, where a massive humanoid figure was just coming into view.

 

We were out of time, and we hadn’t even had time to come up with even the simplest plan to prevent Tyranterramon from gaining the core. There was only one thing left to do.

 

“Alright boys and girls,” I said, turning to face the oncoming foe, “we make our last stand here!”

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Miracle of the Desert Core; Legacy of Pharaohmon

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

A nice chapter like always, legendhiro.

[Stigma_Horrizone]

cool

[legendhiro]

it's a little low on action, but i wanted to release more of the legend that will be a big part of this book, and this was the perfect way to do it. any guesses as to why Dokugamon knows this story when not even Mechmon does?

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Dunno? Because she's older than Mechmon?

 

Anyways, about those three characters I submitted for a special(and I know that I'm sounding naggish now), I know that it may take a whole year for them to appear, but I hope to see them appear in a Special soon enough.

[legendhiro]

special update:

 

 

[spoiler=Serpentmon Line]

Snakemon (Baby II Level)

Virus Type, Reptile Digimon

A small snake that would rather play pranks than fight, or even Digivolve. His attack energy seems to emit from the purple stripes on his body. His attacks are very weak.

Attacks:

-Snake Strike (A weak energy beam)

Serpentmon (Child Level)

Virus Type, Reptile Digimon

A Digimon that is friendly by nature, but has the potential to become savage when exposed to the constant danger of the wild. When he has a reason to fight he can sometimes defeat even Adult Digimon.

Attacks:

-Serpent Strike (Fires hundreds of thin explosive needles from his mouth)

-Serpent Shield (An energy shield surrounds his body for a second or so)

Dragonterramon (Adult Level)

Virus Type, Dragon Digimon

A fierce dragon said to be able to defeat five Adult Digimon at once. They are very rare.

Attacks:

-Terra Flame (Summons energy from the earth to fuel his fire breath attack)

-Terra Strike (Slashes with energized claws)

WingedDragonterramon (Perfect Level)

Vaccine Type, Dragon Digimon

A dragon with powerful wings. He draws energy from the earth and the sky, making his attacks especially fierce and deadly.

Attacks:

-Wing Fireblaze (Launches fireballs from his spread wings)

-Terra Flame (Summons energy from the earth to fuel his fire breath attack)

MetalDragonterramon (Ultimate Level)

Vaccine Type, Android Digimon

A mechanized Digimon with extensive combat capabilities. Even though his mechanical parts are bulky, he has retained his range of movement from his previous form. He carries a shield made of Chrome Digizoid, which doubles as a weapon.

Attacks:

-Lightning Flame (Fires a powerful laser beam from his gun)

-Fireball Barrage (Releases a barrage of fireballs from the holes in his shield)

-Terra Flame (Summons energy from the earth to fuel his fire breath attack)

InfernoKnightmon (With Knighthramon)

Vaccine Type, Dragon Man Digimon

A mysterious Digimon with a connection to the past.

Attacks:

-Courageous Sword (Attacks with a fiery sword)

-Stati-Shot Cannon (A cannon attack made up of pure energy. It has massive destructive potential)

 

[spoiler=BlackColtmon Line]

BlackMainemon (Baby II Level)

Virus Type, Beast Digimon

A Digimon who's only attack is Bubble Blow. He prefers not to use it though, since he thinks it makes him look weak.

Attacks:

-Bubble Blow

BlackColtmon (Child Level)

Virus Type, Beast Digimon

A fierce Digimon who loves to fight to test his abilities. It is said that any Digimon in the BlackColtmon Line is the most skilled Digimon of its current Level.

Attacks:

-Black Hoof-Fire (Fires a black flame from his front hooves. The black flame becomes a typical orange flame once it begins burning on its own.)

-Hoof Slam (Attacks with his hooves)

BlackStaliamon (Adult Level)

Virus Type, Beast Digimon

A fierce Digimon who loves to fight to test his abilities. He has incredible grace and skill, and he executes forceful attacks with great precision.

Attacks:

-Hoof Slam (A much more powerful version of BlackColtmon's second attack that uses energy. This version of the attack has a ranged form, and can create an earthquake)

JousterStaliamon (Perfect Level)

Data Type, Beast Digimon

A Knight's steed who fights on his own with no rider. He commands electrical energy and can run faster than any other four legged Digimon

Attacks:

-Thunder Joust (Summons lightning energy into his lance. His lance can extend and even bend at his will)

Knighthramon (Ultimate Level)

Vaccine Type, Warrior Digimon

A mighty knight who command energy. He can summon a hover board made of energy, and he can use energy to freely change the shape of his weapon.

Attacks:

-Knighthra-Slash (Slices/stabs with an energized blade)

-Knighthra-Blade (Flings concentrated energy from his blade)

InfernoKnightmon (With MetalDragonterramon)

Vaccine Type, Dragon Man Digimon

A mysterious Digimon with a connection to the past.

Attacks:

-Courageous Sword (Attacks with a fiery sword)

-Stati-Shot Cannon (A cannon attack made up of pure energy. It has massive destructive potential)

 

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Nice pictures man! BTW, you didn't answer my question.(Look in my previous post.)

[legendhiro]

it could be awhile. it just depends on my preferences. but i doubt it will take a whole year.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Well, I just hang around and watch the progress then.

 

BTW, is the next chapter up soon?

[legendhiro]

i have some free time right now, so i'll try to get it done.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

O.K

 

I'll just hang around awhile.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Bump

[Stigma_Horrizone]

Anymore Evolution Lines?

[legendhiro]

i'm working on 'em, but they take time, and i do still need to finish the next chapter as well.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Well, hopefully it won't take long for your genius mind to make up a chapter or two!

 

And also, summer vacation is close at hand, so I bet that there will be alot of writing during that time!

[Stigma_Horrizone]

Well' date=' hopefully it won't take long for your genius mind to make up a chapter or two!

 

And also, summer vacation is close at hand, so I bet that there will be alot of writing during that time!

[/quote']

 

me too

[legendhiro]

sorry guys, the storms around here knocked my power out for awhile, but i'm back up. to make it up to you, the next update will be a double feature.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Oh, nice. Can't wait.

[legendhiro]

as promised, a double feature! yes, that means i finally got some writing done. i'm pretty awesome.

 

 

[spoiler=Chapter Five]

 

Miracle of the Desert Core; Legacy of Pharaohmon

 

 

“Alright guys,” I said, “you know how to treat a guest.” I brandished my Digivice and it came online. Jeremy, Sarah and Amanda followed suite.

 

“Initiate,” I called, “DNA Warp Digivolution!”

 

“Initiate,” said Jeremy and Amanda, “Digiplayer Digivolution!”

 

“Serpentmon…”

 

“BlackColtmon…”

 

“…DNA Warp Digivolve to, InfernoKnightmon!”

 

“Mechmon, Direct Digivolve to! MegaMechamon!”

 

“Chickomon, Direct Digivolve to! MetalBrauntomon!”

 

“Initiate,” Sarah called, “Warp Digivolution!”

 

“Ponymon, Warp Digivolve to! TechAngewomon!”

 

Before us stood four Digimon; two Perfect Level, and two Ultimate Level. The once distant form of Tyranterramon approached quickly. With no cover to hide us, he spotted us easily.

 

“Oh look, a party. Guess I wasn’t invited.” Tyranterramon raised his larger right fist, charged with energy, “I guess I’ll just have to crash it!”

 

“No way Tyranterramon,” said InfernoKnightmon. “You’ll never get your hands on another core while I’m here!” He shot into the air, hoping to use his smaller size and superior speed to get in close and strike a lethal blow, but before he could even begin, Tyranterramon swung his fist with incredible speed and swatted InfernoKnightmon to the ground. As he did, MegaMechamon and MetalBrauntomon rose into the air and seized the opportunity to fire their attacks. Tyranterramon kicked InfernoKnightmon into the air and caught him, using him as a living shield, laughing all the while. He threw the now-unconscious InfernoKnightmon at MegaMechamon, knocking him out of the air.

 

MetalBrauntomon and TechAngewomon moved to circle behind the foe and attack, but Tyranterramon grabbed MetalBrauntomon’s tail and swung him like a whip, hitting TechAngewomon and shattering the armor over her right shoulder, as well as MetalBrauntomon’s right wing. The four Digimon struggled to rise while Tyranterramon laughed. “And all of that without even using any of my own techniques! I have indeed grown stronger than I ever could have hoped.”

 

Tyranterramon reached down and picked up MetalBrauntomon, throwing him at us humans. MegaMechamon rose up, summoning all of his strength, and moved to catch his unconscious ally, but I think he knew just as well as I did that, in his state, it wouldn’t matter.

 

Jeremy knew what was coming too. “MegaMechamon!” He cried. Then he looked down at his Digivice, “What? Power is surging from somewhere.”

 

As he spoke, his Digimon was wreathed in light and began to change. “MegaMechamon, Ultimate Digivolve to!” He became a form of light and reformed into a Gundam-type mecha just barely taller than InfernoKnightmon, with strong-looking blue and chrome armor, a massive cannon on one shoulder, and a missile pod on the other. Panels on his back opened, fanning out and becoming a facsimile of wings. Guns appeared, attacked to his wrists. They flipped back, resting against his forearms, “Decimatormon!”

 

The newest Digimon raised his right hand and caught the behemoth form of MetalBrauntomon with zero effort. He set his ally aside and turned to Tyranterramon.

 

“You are powerful,” said Tyranterramon, “but I am in a league all my own.” He punched, calling “Tyrant Fist!” But before the attack could hit, boosters on the mech Digimon’s back flashed to life, and he shot forward, followed by a sonic boom, and slammed into Tyranterramon’s chest. Tyranterramon was stunned. He fell back. As he fell, Decimatormon called out “Decimate Cannon!” The guns on his shoulders fired, launching a massive energy beam as well as about four dozen missiles at the falling foe. Tyranterramon threw up his arms, protecting himself from most of the blast. He rose slowly from the depths of the resulting crater, only to be thrown back in by an energy blade to his side. I looked over. There was MechAngemon, his sword still glowing, flying toward the foe with TechnoWeremon running below. Behind them was Dokugamon, Jen and Kristin riding on her back.

 

I smiled, “It’s about time.” Even as I spoke the heavily damaged InfernoKnightmon and TechAngewomon rose to their feet, ready to rejoin the battle as well. MetalBrauntomon tried to rise, but he found himself unable to move. One of his legs and both of his wings were destroyed.

 

“You won’t get by us,” said Decimatormon.

 

“Oh yes I will,” Tyranterramon cried. He jumped over us completely, landing on the other side of the Desert Tower before any of the Digimon could react. But when he turned to face the tower, he found himself blocked by none other than Dokugamon and Tuskmon.

 

“We won’t let you through,” said Dokugamon.

 

Tyranterramon blinked once, and then broke out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

 

“I have battled the Guardians, been incarcerated between dimensions, and survived the attacks of countless Ultimate Level Digimon,” Tyranterramon declared. “What can you hope to do against my power?”

 

“It doesn’t matter if we can defeat you,” said Tuskmon. “We will defend the Desert Core with our lives!”

 

There was a flash of light from within the tower, and the two Digimon began to change.

 

Dokugamon became a red creature with a six-legged spider-like body with purple stripes from the waist down, and a torso similar to that of a woman wearing a red blouse. She had oversized arms, horns on her head, and long silvery-white hair, and big, buggy eyes. “Dokugamon, Digivolve to! Arukenimon!”

 

Tuskmon became a form of light and changed, becoming humanoid in shape. Bandages appeared, wrapping his entire body, except for his eyes and his rather wide mouth. A black rifle appeared in his right hand. Black spikes grew from his shoulders, and a purple bandanna appeared on his head. Black straps appeared on his chest and arms, metal exoskeletons appeared over his lower legs, and a gun belt appeared around his waist. “Tuskmon, Digivolve to! Mummymon!”

 

Both Digimon were no more than seven feet tall, but despite their small size, they had an air of strength about them. Jeremy looked up from his Digicalculator and said, “They’re full of the same energy that caused Decimatormon to Digivolve. The energy of the Desert Core!”

 

“With two more perfects on our side,” said Jen, “we might actually have a chance!”

 

Mummymon ran up the side of the Desert Tower and jumped high into the air. He turned in mid air to face Tyranterramon and called, “Snake Bandage!” The bandages covering his body multiplied and several of them fired off, loosely ensnaring Tyranterramon’s legs and arms.

 

Arukenimon jumped up and slung razor-thin threads from her fingertips, calling “Spider Thread!” The threads ensnared Tyranterramon even further.

 

Mummymon landed on the threads that reached from his allies fingers toward their foe, ran up them, and jumped up level with Tyranterramon’s face. He aimed his rifle, and called “Necrophobia!” A beam lanced from the barrel of the rifle and hit Tyranterramon between the eyes. He fell back, Arukenimon’s threads digging into his flesh. She let the threads go, letting Tyranterramon fall, ran forward, and jumped up, sailing over the foe’s massive form. She called out “Acid Spray!” and fired an acidic green mist from her mouth, engulfing Tyranterramon’s entire body. Arukenimon and Mummymon landed a good ways away, confident that the battle was over.

 

But out of the dissipating mist rose the largely undamaged form of Tyranterramon.

 

“It looks like I underestimated all of you,” he said. “Guess I’ve had enough fun for today. Time to get what I came for.”

 

But as Tyranterramon spoke, the other Digimon surrounded him. He had nowhere to go. Or so I thought. Tyranterramon punched the ground, sending waves of energy in every direction, pushing the Digimon away. He pushed through the ranks of his stunned opponents and reached into the ground, shattering the Desert Tower in the process.

 

“NO!” I cried, running toward Tyranterramon as he pulled a glowing orb from the ground, but before anyone could reach him, Tyranterramon squeezed the orb, shattering it like glass, the shards absorbing into his skin. He began to glow, and a gale force wind picked up, pushing us away. A transparent orb surrounded Tyranterramon, and he began to hibernate, allowing his body to process the data that he had just absorbed. A massive, thunderous black cloud blossomed across the sky, and the ground began to shake violently.

 

I moved to run at Tyranterramon, but Jeremy grabbed my shoulder, stopping me. “What are you doing?” I demanded. “We need to stop him before he can finish absorbing the core!”

 

“John,” Jeremy replied, “it’s too late. If we stay here we’ll die. We have to go.”

 

So despite all of our efforts we had failed yet again to stop Tyranterramon, and now he was one step closer to his goals. And worst of all, we’d allowed ourselves to fall into a position where our only choice was to retreat.

 

[spoiler=Chapter Six]

 

Flee to the Forest

 

 

From the Desert, and possibly our greatest defeat, we and our Digimon partners and allies made our way to the northern forest. Thanks to the samples of core energy that Jeremy had collected during the last battle, we were able to locate the Forest Core from a pretty good distance. We expected to arrive at some kind of ancient structure, like the Desert Tower, so the real location of the Forest Core was anything but what we’d expected. Instead of a tower or another large structure, we only found a simple straw hut in the middle of a clearing. The only features of interest besides the hut were a clothes line with simple rags hanging from it, and a small field of wheat and corn, alongside two rows of meat. I’d forgotten that in the Digital World meat grows from the ground.

 

“Are we sure this is the place?” Sarah asked.

 

“No doubt about it,” I answered, reading from the Digicomp handheld, “the core is definitely her, under that hut from the look of it. I’m reading two signals inside, but they’re small, and as far as I can tell, not very strong.”

 

“Alright then,” said BlackColtmon, “let’s break down the door!”

 

“And do what?” Jen asked. “We can’t move the core. All we can do is wait for Tyranterramon to show up and try to fight him off!”

 

“She’s right,” said Sarah. “If we couldn’t win before then we can’t win now. It’s hopeless.”

 

“I’m not sure what you’re discussing young ones,” came an elderly voice from the direction of the hut, “but there’s always hope.”

 

We turned, and we found ourselves facing two stout figures. One looked like an old man with a long gray beard, whose gray hair had grown out to cover his eyes. He was wearing what looked like a potato sack, and he carried a walking stick topped by a stuffed paw. The other looked like a short, elderly witch in tribal garbs, carrying a broomstick. She wore a necklace of spherical pink jewels around her neck.

 

“Hello dearies,” said the old woman. “Who might you be?”

 

“We’re humans from the real world,” I replied. “Who are you?”

 

“I’m Jijimon,” said the man. He gestured to the woman, “This is my wife Babamon.”

 

“You must be the Digidestined that we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Babamon. “You defeated Manipulamon.”

 

“Yeah,” I said, “but now another enemy has shown up. An even stronger one. He’s coming here. You two should leave.”

 

“Nonsense,” said Jijimon. “We aren’t leaving, at least until we’ve had some tea.”

 

“And some fresh meat,” said Babamon. “You all look famished!”

 

“Please wait right here,” Jijimon insisted. “We were just about to have lunch. We’ll go get it and have ourselves a picnic.”

 

And before I could pretest, the two elderly Digimon disappeared back inside their hut.

 

 

It wasn’t long before the two elderly Digimon re-emerged from the hut with a blanket and several containers filled with food and drink, plates, and cups. In only a few minutes the picnic was in place. We were all running on empty, and the food smelled good, so we decided to accept the invitation to join in the meal.

 

“Wow,” I said, finishing off a piece of spiced meat, “this is pretty good.”

 

“Uh huh!” Serpentmon agreed.

 

“Problem is,” I said, “we’re running short on time. You see, we think you built your hut over top of the Forest Core. An ancient and powerful Digimon named Tyranterramon is coming for the core. We need you to leave the area for awhile. When Tyranterramon comes, we need to be ready for him.”

 

Jijimon laughed.

 

My eyes narrowed, “What’s so funny?”

 

“Do you think you’re anywhere near ready to take on the likes of Tyranterramon?” Jijimon asked.

 

I was shocked, though I tried very hard not to show it. This Digimon, and likely his wife as well, knew more than they were letting on.

 

“The key to beating Tyranterramon has never been brute force,” said Jijimon. “It’s always been the power that is born from unity!”

 

“Are you saying that you know how to beat Tyranterramon?” I asked.

 

“Yes,” Jijimon replied. “Fight me and you will too.”

 

Everyone grew quiet. Babamon stood up and began gathering our dishes and carrying them back into the hut. Jijimon stood up as well and walked further out into the clearing. My two Digimon and I moved to face him.

 

“Only one of your Digimon may assist you against me,” said Jijimon.

 

I turned to BlackColtmon and said, “Sorry buddy, but you’ll have to sit this one out.”

 

BlackColtmon scoffed, but he nodded and walked over to join the others.

 

“Are you scared, Human?” Jijimon asked as Babamon re-emerged from the hut and joined my friends.

 

I smiled, “Of you? No way.”

 

“Then let’s start!” Jijimon cried, charging at me, waving his staff wildly.

 

“That won’t work,” I said, dodging the staff. I ducked underneath, pushed in closed, and punched, hitting only air as Jijimon jumped away at lightning speed.

 

Pretty quick and limber for an old guy, I thought as Serpentmon launched his attack, which Jijimon easily avoided.

 

Jijimon lunged, aiming to slam Serpentmon with his staff, but Serpentmon sprung out of the way. He fired his Serpent Strike again, but like last time, Jijimon avoided the attack with ease, circled around, and came right at me. He swung his staff. I ducked underneath it, but he followed with a thrust, knocking me over and pinning me to the ground.

 

“Looks like you lose, Sonny,” said Jijimon.

 

“Who are you guys?” Mummymon asked.

 

“Don’t count us out just yet,” I said. There was a flash, and Jijimon turned just in time to see Dragonterramon swing his tail in Jijimon’s direction. Jijimon was forced to raise his staff to absorb the blow, allowing me time to roll away. Jijimon was thrown several feet. He flipped and pushed off of a tree, swinging his staff and smacking Dragonterramon in the head, knocking him to the ground. I charged at Jijimon, punching him, but he used his staff to block. He chuckled, “Not good enough!”

 

“Apparently not,” I replied grimly.

 

“Don’t worry,” Dragonterramon assured, “I’m just getting warmed up. Terra Flame!” He opened his mouth and spewed a stream of flames. Jijimon twirled his staff, deflecting the flames back toward me. Dragonterramon stepped in and deflected them. But by the time he did, Jijimon was on top of him. He thrust his staff upward, tossing Dragonterramon effortlessly over my head and into a tree.

 

“We won’t lose,” I said. I stood ready to intercept Jijimon’s next attack. There was a flash from within Jijimon’s hut, and Dragonterramon de-Digivolved to Serpentmon.

 

“What’s wrong?” I asked him.

 

“Nothing,” he answered. “I feel great! Stronger than ever!”

 

Serpentmon jumped onto my shoulder, and I said, “Then let’s finish this, together!”

 

I felt power surge from Serpentmon into me, giving me strength. This fight was anything but over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Trial of the Forest

[Stigma_Horrizone]

nice, wonder what that trial is. can you give us a hint?

[Fallen Hero]

good chapters but Decimatormon's description sounded VERY close to MetalGarurumon X

[legendhiro]

...Decimatormon's description sounded VERY close to MetalGarurumon X

 

i'm working on a sprite for him. you'll see then.

 

 

anyway' date=' here's the next chapter. Its pretty short, but includes several important plot points, including more info on the mysterious and ancient Five Regions' Guardians.

 

 

[spoiler=Chapter Seven']

 

Trial of the Forest

 

 

“Round two of this little mock battle is about to start,” I told Jijimon. “But first, you need to answer my friend Mummymon’s question; who are you two?”

 

“We aren’t much anymore,” Jijimon answered. “but once, long ago, my wife and I were Oberomon and Rosemon, King and Queen of the Forest, and the Guardians of the Forest Core. We made up one fifth of the Five Regions’ Guardians along with Pharaohmon, Guardian of the Desert Core, Phoenixmon, Guardian of the Mountain Core, MetalSeadramon, Guardian of the Ocean Core, and our leader, Millenniummon, Guardian of the Metal Core.”

 

“But as time passed,” Babamon added, “the time of the Guardians passed as well. MetalSeadramon became a recluse, Pharaohmon degenerated to data with old age, and Millenniummon was forced to build himself a mechanical body in order to survive. Oberomon and I were both Digimon who change form instead of breaking down with age. We continued to do our duty, guarding the core, while sharpening our skills to compensate for the power that we had lost. Though we had always been in touch with nature, our training here allowed us to become even more in tune with the Forest Core. We learned that the Forest Core, and likely every core, has a connection to some form of Digivolution. The Forest Core can foster a Digivolution based on unity, and the stronger the union, the stronger the result. That is the key to defeating Tyranterramon.”

 

I nodded, “That makes sense. That’s why you guys are so tough. You’re Ultimate Level Digimon. And this whole thing is just a way to get me and Serpentmon to connect with the Forest Core and get stronger.”

 

I took a few steps to the right and took up a fighting pose. “Come on, let’s do this.” Jijimon attacked immediately. He struck with his staff, but I jumped back, landing beneath the branches of a nearby tree. Serpentmon, who was sill on my shoulder, sprung up, snapping a strait branch loose with his tail, and then landing again on my shoulder. I caught the branch just in time to block the next strike from Jijimon’s staff, then another, and a third, pushing Jijimon back, and for the first time hitting him with an attack of my own.

 

Jijimon stumbled back and flipped, regaining his footing twenty yards away. Serpentmon fired his attack from his perch on my shoulder, catching Jijimon in the chest and blasting him away.

 

“You are close to reaching the level that you require,” said Jijimon, “but you still have a little way to go. You and your Digimon must have hearts that beat as one, or you will never achieve the Ultimate Power.”

 

Jijimon looked over at Babamon. She stood up straighter and said, “Oh, is it time? Alright, Dear, let’s get this over with.”

 

Jijimon turned back to me and said, “You may choose two of your team mates to fight alongside you Sonny.”

 

“I’ll fight,” said Sarah. “It’s about time Ponymon and I made a difference around here.”

 

“Me too,” said Jen. “Coltmon and I are already so close that this should be a piece of cake.”

 

“There you go,” I said. I pulled another branch down from the tree and tossed in to Jen. And with that the battle resumed. Jijimon continued to exchange blows with me and Serpentmon, while Jen, Coltmon and Ponymon struggled to keep Babamon at bay. When Babamon couldn't get in close to her opponents on foot, she jumped onto her broom and rose into the air. She launched a barrage of fireballs from her mouth, nearly hitting Jen, before Sarah used her soccer skills to return the attack.

 

Before long I noticed that we were beginning to move as one with our Digimon. The glow from within the hut reappeared, and three green orbs of light emerged, sinking into mine, Jen’s, and Sarah’s chests. Our entire bodies began to glow. Then our Digimon began to glow as well. Serpentmon and I rose into the air.

 

“Serpentmon,” my Digimon declared, “Bio-Merge to!” He and I merged into one. We grew into a reptilian man, about InfernoKnightmon’s height. Black armor patterned after a snake covered our body, and a helm shaped like the head of a snake appeared over our head. An oversized snake head appeared over our right hand. The fangs stretched outward, forming two lance tips, and a round buckler appeared attached to our left arm, “Vipramon!”

 

Jen and Coltmon rose into the air. “Coltmon, Bio-Merge to!” They fused as well, becoming a tall man in robes, samurai-style armor covering his shoulders, head, chest, and thighs. A sash appeared around his waist, in which rested two long katanas in their sheaths, “Samuraimon!”

 

Sarah and Ponymon rose into the air and merged into one, “Ponymon, Bio-Merge to!” They became a cloaked woman wearing a headband of woven branches. Beneath her cloak she wore a simple earth-green dress, and she carried a staff topped with a green crystal, “Druidmon!”

 

I landed on my feet, facing Jijimon, Samuraimon to my right, and Druidmon to my left. “What do you think, Jijimon?” I asked. “Unified enough for you?”

 

Jeremy looked up from his Digicalculator, a shocked look on his face. “That’s impossible! The power that they’re putting out, it’s off the charts!”

 

Jijimon circled us, scrutinizing our new forms. “I think,” he said, “that this might just do it.”

 

My friends and allies cheered. For the first time since our battle for the Desert Core, we felt that we actually had a chance. The three of us separated, returning to our previous forms

 

Serpentmon sprung up onto my shoulder and said, “Tyranterramon’s got nothing on us now!”

 

 

 

 

 

Next Chapter Unity Found, Unity Lost

[Stigma_Horrizone]

cool biomerge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fallen Hero]

let me guess, your eventually going to make John be able to bio-merge with either of his partners